Unless the team makes a move, the Patriots will enter next season with Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead at running back. Ridley and Vereen are entering their second seasons.

Green-Ellis ran for 667 yards and 11 touchdowns while battling through a turf toe injury last season. In 2010, he gained 1,008 yards with 13 touchdowns, becoming the organization's first 1,000-yard rusher since Corey Dillion accomplished the feat in 2004.

He is yet to fumble as professional.

Green-Ellis visited with the Bengals on Sunday and drew interest from the New York Jets. In an interview with The Republican last week, the 26-year-old expressed a desire to stay in New England but acknowledged that things may not work out that way.

"It's not a perfect world," Green-Ellis said. "I just know that both sides are working on it and hopefully things get done."

Last week we took a look at what Ridley could bring to the table as the featured running back.

Ridley proved last year -- save for some issues with holding onto the ball -- that he has the ability to grind out yards, run through tackles and can break free for the occasional big gain, the last trait being something Green-Ellis lacks.

By the end of the season, the rookie began to supplant Green-Ellis as the featured back until he fumbled in consecutive games, a deficiency caused by him turning his back to would-be tacklers and carrying the ball with one hand at times.

Those issues can be fixed, though. And if they are, the Patriots could be better off with Ridley at the helm.